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21 Chemistry -- Hydrocarbons

Why is wurtz reaction not suitable for the preparation of alkanes with odd number of carbon atoms?

Why is wurtz reaction not suitable for the preparation of alkanes with odd number of carbon atoms?



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Wurtz reaction is used to produce Hydrocarbons containing even numbered carbon atoms. The reaction is as follows:

R-X + 2Na + X-R --Dry Ether--> R-R + 2NaX

If the alkyl group used in the reactant is the same, we obtain an alkane having double the number of carbons present in each carbon atom.


However, if we use different alkyl groups in this process, a large number of possible hydrocarbons are formed which are difficult to separate out later on. Definitely, odd numbered hydrocarbons are also produced here. However, they are produced alongside many other hydrocarbons.

Thus, wurtz reaction is not suitable for the preparation of alkanes with odd number of carbon atoms.

Reference:

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